If the Black Stars fail to qualify, it would mean an end to the nation’s 10-consecutive AFCON qualification streak, a record that dates back to 2006.
By Tuka Letura
Eight key players have withdrawn from Ghana’s men’s football team’s upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Angola and Niger, creating a major selection headache for the national team. Black Stars players: Antoine Semenyo, Inaki Williams, Jonas Adjetey, Tariq Lamptey, Jerome Opoku, Alexander Djiku, Ibrahim Osman, and Joseph Painstil will all miss the matches for various reasons.
Inaki Williams is sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained on 7th November, which has prevented him from training. Meanwhile, Tariq Lamptey has been dealing with persistent calf discomfort that recently worsened, and he is currently undergoing rehabilitation with his club. Jonas Adjetey had been on track for a full recovery, only to suffer a setback during his last league game on 9th November.
Jerome Opoku, who has long struggled with chronic back pain, saw his condition worsen after a recent Süper Lig clash against Beşiktaş on 10th November. His club’s medical team has now placed him on a rehabilitation programme. Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo is managing a patella tendon issue caused by an overload of games, and he has been referred to a specialist to prevent the injury from worsening.
Alexander Djiku is dealing with an aggravated hamstring injury, which led to his substitution during his last game on 10th November. Ibrahim Osman also sustained a hamstring injury in his most recent club appearance, forcing him off at half-time.
Rounding out the list is Joseph Painstil, who cited personal reasons for his absence from the squad.
Many of these injuries are indeed serious and well-documented. However, some appear to reflect a situation where clubs prioritise full recovery for their players, or players opting out due to the stress of travel, possibly feeling that qualification is now unlikely.
In response to these withdrawals, Ghana has called up six players to reinforce the squad for the crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Osman Bukari, Ransford Yeboah Koningsdorffer, Forson Amankwah, Terry Yegbe, Ebenezer Annan, and Kingsley Schindler have been selected as replacements.
The Black Stars, who were aiming to secure their fifth Africa Cup of Nations title, have struggled for form in the current qualifiers, failing to win any of their first four matches and now almost out of contention. Their qualification campaign began with a narrow 1-0 loss to Angola, followed by a 1-1 draw against Niger in Berkane.
Led by Otto Addo, the Black Stars hoped to turn things around in a doubleheader against Sudan. However, they were held to a scoreless draw at the Accra Sports Stadium and then suffered a 2-0 defeat in the away match. These results have left Ghana in third place in Group F with only two points, putting their qualification hopes in jeopardy.
Ghana’s fate could be all but sealed in the next round of games, as qualification is no longer entirely in their hands. Ghana face Angola on matchday five, while Sudan takes on Niger.
A win for Sudan would secure the North Eastern Africans a place in the Africa Cup of Nations, whereas a draw would mean Ghana must dig deep for a substantial win in their final qualifying game against Niger, while hoping Sudan loses to Angola on the final matchday. A loss would also keep the Black Stars’ hopes alive, provided Sudan again loses on the final day. With all these permutations, Ghana’s qualification hangs even more precariously in the balance.
For Coach Addo, it’s a difficult position to be in, but the task is clear: qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations. He must guide the team through whatever challenges lie ahead, no matter how desperate or bleak the situation appears—a formidable task at this stage.
Angola’s perfect record has secured their qualification, leaving only one spot available, which Sudan is favoured to claim. However, this might also mean Angola could ease off in their remaining matches. Sudan also holds an advantage over the Black Stars due to their head-to-head record, making Ghana’s path to qualification even more challenging.
If the Black Stars fail to qualify, it would mean an end to the nation’s 10-consecutive AFCON qualification streak, a record that dates back to 2006. In that case, Ghana would need to return home, re-evaluate, and possibly build a fresh crop of players committed to representing the Black Stars. Missing out on qualification could prompt a thorough re-examination of the team’s structure and objectives.
However, hope remains. Qualification for the 2026 World Cup in North America is still very much within reach. The Black Stars level on points with Comoros after four matches, although they currently sit in second place due to Comoros’s superior goal difference.e.
If Otto Addo remains in charge, he will need to shift focus towards securing World Cup qualification, as it offers Ghana an opportunity to rebuild and prove they can compete on the global stage.
Many young players have already been called up for recent rounds, but Addo must ensure he selects a hungry, dedicated group committed to moving the country forward. Beyond player selection, the administration must also provide the necessary resources and equipment to support their efforts and drive success.
Tuka Letura is an experienced sports writer with over five years of experience in the craft. He uses data and statistics to provide analysis and commentary. From regional to worldwide competitions, he has covered a wide range of sports-related events and topics. He is devoted to sharing his enthusiasm for sports with his audience and engaging them with interesting anecdotes and viewpoints.